George ist



(No Model.) N. CHASE.

v VEHICLE TIRE.

' No. 574,390. Patented'Jan. 5, 1897.

@WITNESSES: YYINVEIVTOH if i. &\s.$ gag (rad er 7 ATTORNEYS UNITED STAT S PATENT FFICE.

GEORGE N. CHASE, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

VEHICLE- TIRE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 574,390, dated January 5, 1897. Application filed November 25, 1895. Serial No. 570,108. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE N. CHASE, lieutenant United States Army, residing at Pasadena, in the county of Los An geles and State of Oalifornia,have invented certain new and useful' Improvements in Vehicle-Tires, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in the-construction of vehicle-tires, intended more especially for bicycles, but which may, if desired, be used for other vehicles; and my invention consists in certain features of novelty hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure I represents a detail side elevation and broken view of my improved wheel. Fig. II is a cross-section taken on line II II, Fig. I. Fig. III is an inside view of one of the protecting-plates. Fig. IV is an edge view of one of the protecting-plates. Fig. V represents a transverse section of the rim and edge view of the retaining-ribs. Fig. VIis a detail view of protecting-plate. Fig. VII represents a side elevation of attachment for use on ice. Fig. VIII is a side view of retaining-rib. Fig. IX is an edge view of retaining-rib. Fig. X is a detail edge View of a modified form of clasp between the retaining-rib and protecting-plate.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the rim, and 2 the spokes, of a wheel.

3 represents a flexible tube adapted to hold air.

4 represents a series of spring-ribs having their inner ends bent, as shown at 5, at substantially right angles with the body of the rib where it joins the same.

The inner ends of the ribs are secured to the rim, preferably by the bent ends 5 being inserted in longitudinal slots 6, said slots extending around the periphery of the rim.

The ribs are bow-shaped and extend on each side of the flexible tube 3 of the wheel and conform to the contour of the tube.

v 8 represents a series of adjustable overlapping protecting spring-plates, said plates covering the outer half of the flexible tube and protecting it from wear and perforation, the plates forming the tread of the wheel. 7 The plates 8 are bent to conform to the outer contour of the tube 3 when inflated, each plate overlapping the plate preceding it, the overlapping portion-9 being formed into elliptical shape, the inneredgeof the plate being scalloped, as shown at 10, to aid in its proper adjustment. Each of the plates 8 is provided with central slots 11 and hooks or lips 12, said hooks being preferably formed of a portion of the plate being cut and stamped into shape, each'platebeingsecured to the preceding plate by inserting the hook 12 of one plate into the slot 11 of the preceding plate.

The ribs 4 and the free ends of the plates are clasped together in the following manner: The outer ends of the ribs are bent as shown at 13 and are provided with slots 14. The free ends of the protecting-plates are provided with slots 15 and tapering tongues 16, the tongues being preferably stamped out of the body of the plate. The plates 8 are bent at 17 to conform to the bent portion 13 of the ribs. In connecting the ribs with the plates the outer ends of the ribs are inserted in the slots 15 of the plates and the tongues 16 of the plates inserted in the slots 14 of the ribs. The slots being slightly larger than the parts engaging the same admit of both end and side play of the plates in their connection with the ribs as they are flexed by the pressure upon the same. The central connection of the protecting-plates also admits of several movements of the plates, such as a side movement, a longitudinal movement, and a pivotal movement, the pivotal movement being aided by the clasp connection between the plates and ribs, each plate having its ends entirely independent of the adjoining plate.

18 represents a shield formed of canvas or other suitable material, said shield protecting the lower half of the flexible tube and extending on each side to the top of the connection between the ribs and protecting-plates. The shield may be either attached to the inner sides of the ribs and to the rim or may be secured to the flexible tube.

19 represents knobs on the outer sides of the protecting-plates to prevent slipping of the wheel.

To prevent slipping in case of ice, I perforate the knobs in the center of the plates and insert from the inside a series of points 20,

having their bases 21 fitting into cups 22 on the inside of the knobs, the underlapping portion of the protecting-plates pressing against the base of the points and holding them in position.

In Fig. X, I have shown a slight modification of the clasp between the ribs and protecting-plates, in which the protecting-plate is provided with a shoulder 23, against which the outer ends of the ribs 4: may abut, the tongues 16 of the plates terminating at a point near the shoulder, the slots in the ribs and the plates Where they are joined being suflicientl y elongated to admit of considerable play.

My improved wheel may be used in combination with an inflated inner tube, or it may be used as a metallic spring-tire entirely with the flexible tube removed, the connection shown in Fig. X being well adapted for the form where the flexible tube is omitted.

The knobs 19 may be formed with the same operation as the protecting plates, being pressed into shape with one stroke of the die.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates having a central connection and free ends, and means for connecting the ends of the plates with the rim, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates, and a series of ribs-for connecting the ends of the plates with the rim substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates, a series of ribs having their outer ends secured to the plates and having their opposite ends bent and inserted in grooves in the rim, substantially as set forth.

l. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates, a series of ribs having their inner ends secured to the rim, and having slots near their outer ends, slots in the ends of the overlapping plates, and tapering tongues on the plates adapted to enter the slots in the ribs, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates, central slots and hooks on the plates for connecting them together, and means for connecting the plates with the rim, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of a rim, a series of overlapping plates, shoulders near the ends of the plates, tongues on the plates, a series of spring-ribs, and slots in the ribs adapted to engage the tongues on the plates, substantially as set forth.

'7. In a vehicle-wheel the combination of a suitable rim, a flexible inner tube, a series of protecting-plates, a series of perforated knobs on the plates having cup-shaped apertures 011 their inner sides, and removable points adapted to have their bases rest in the cup-shaped aperture and on the underlapping portion of the protecting-plates, and their points extending through the perforated knobs, substantially as set forth.

8. I11 a vehicle-Wheel the combination of a suitable rim, a series of spring-plates, a series of ribs connecting the plates with the rim, a flexible inner tube, and a protecting-shield, interposed between the tube and the ribs, sub stantially as set forth.

GEORGE N. CHASE.

Witnesses:

JAMES E. KNIGHT, M. II. KNIGHT. 

